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Richie Phillips Obituary

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Richie Phillips, a hard-charging negotiator for NBA referees and Major League Baseball umpires, has died. He was 72.

Phillips' death was reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, which said he died Friday of cardiac arrest at his second home in Cape May, N.J. His death was confirmed by the D'Anjolell Memorial Home in Broomall, where a viewing is scheduled Thursday.

Phillips represented NBA referees in the 1970s and '80s and led MLB umps from 1978 until 1999, when a negotiating tactic of mass resignations backfired. That led umpires to abandon Phillips' Major League Umpires Association and form a new union, the World Umpires Association.

Nonetheless, umpires made tremendous gains under Phillips. When he became their negotiator in 1978, rookie umpires made $17,500. By 2000, they earned at least $95,000.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Richie Phillips, a hard-charging negotiator for NBA referees and Major League Baseball umpires, has died. He was 72.

Phillips' death was reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, which said he died Friday of cardiac arrest at his second home in Cape May, N.J. His death was confirmed by the D'Anjolell Memorial Home in Broomall, where a viewing is scheduled Thursday.

Phillips represented NBA referees in the 1970s and '80s and led MLB umps from 1978 until 1999, when a negotiating tactic of mass resignations backfired. That led umpires to abandon Phillips' Major League Umpires Association and form a new union, the World Umpires Association.

Nonetheless, umpires made tremendous gains under Phillips. When he became their negotiator in 1978, rookie umpires made $17,500. By 2000, they earned at least $95,000.

Guest Book Highlights

"Ellen Lisa giannetto here I just see this and send my best I hope to see you soon My best to you and dear Richie whom I remember well and had the honor of taking care of him We are in San Francisco now and hope to see you if you visit SF Lisa"- Lisa Giannetto (San Francisco)

"I met Richie at Pilot when he came to our office for a visit. He treated everyone like they were a part of his family. I will never forget his graciousness and kindness toward everyone."- pca--